Specialist School upgraded with additional funds

THIRTY thousand dollars has been allocated to the Ballarat Specialist School from the State government, for essential grounds work like repairs, painting and guttering maintenance.

Principal, Karen Biggelaar said these planned works will take place across the whole school.

“We’ve had a facilities audit, and all of those areas that need to be upgraded have been identified, so this money will go straight to high priority tasks that need to be done right away,” she said.

These funds are in addition to a $338,000 maintenance blitz bundle BSS received in 2019, allowing the school to make fit-for-purpose classroom modifications, upgrade security, install new middle years basketball rings, the hydrotherapy pool’s chemical mixing system, and air conditioning in VCAL and VET classrooms.

This money will also pay for a shed set to be built at the Norman Street farm campus for the senior school’s upcoming equine therapy program, starting in term four’s warmer weather.

“This is pretty unique. We haven’t heard of many students using equine therapy. We’ve looked at the program of one other specialist school that does have horses on site, and adapted a program that will suit our students really well,” Ms Biggelaar said.

“Working with the animal helps mainly with regulation and developing emotional connections. Some of our students have participated in the therapy externally, and we’ve seen them return connected and calm.

“We needed additional funding to build the facilities required, so the timing of the grounds money was perfect for us.”

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison visited BSS last Thursday, checking out the junior school’s new inclusive, sensory courtyard play space at Gillies Street, paid with $200,000 from the Inclusive Schools Fund.

Starting construction just before Christmas, it was finished and open in March, with trampolines, a carousel, musical chimes and a nest swing.

“This space is so important for our students and their essential play. We did have some play areas, but they were not accessible to all of our students,” Ms Biggelaar said.

“It’s delightful to have this beautiful space that our early years and junior students can enjoy at any time, connect with each other and learn as they play.”

Ms Addison said the State’s recent investments in the school have been made to ensure both campuses are safe, fit-for-purpose and well maintained.

“Over the last three rounds of grants, they’ve received over half a million dollars in funding. This is really good news for everyone in the Ballarat Specialist School community, with over 470 students attending this school,” she said.

“People move to Ballarat because of the excellent reputation of this provider of quality education for students with additional needs.

“It brings me so much joy to see this funding, and the diversity of services on offer here means that as students progress, they’re not only building their literacy and numeracy skills, but getting work-ready to face the next chapter in their lives.”